Bib type under-garment having support for outer-garment(s)

ABSTRACT

A form fitting cyclist&#39;s undergarment is provided which is configured to support secondary garment(s). Said secondary garment(s) may provide increased modesty, abrasion resistance, climate protection or other attributes.

This application claims priority to 31 Aug. 2010 by reference to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61,378,689 and International Application PCT/US2011/048775

A bib type cycling garment which is configured with means of suspending an outer garment(s).

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a bib type cycling garment that is configured with means of suspending outer garment(s) which might be, by way of example and not limitation, loose fitting short trousers.

Form fitting bib type cycling pants are preferred over traditional waistband type cycling pants by many cyclists because, among other reasons, they do not have a waistband and they hold the pants more securely around the cyclist's crotch.

The absence of a waistband is advantageous to the cyclist because it allows the wearer increased comfort and unrestricted breathing so that he/she can produce athletic power more efficiently and more comfortably.

Having pants located closely and securely at the wearer's crotch is advantageous to the cyclist because it may prevent abrasions/chaffing/snagging/discomfort/etc which might occur at his/her interface with a bicycle seat.

Other advantages of bib type cycling pants over traditional waistband type bicycle pants include: If a cyclists shirt rides up their body, the bib portion may keep their midriff covered; since a bib covers more surface area of the wearer's body it may control moisture transport for sweat management and thermal regulation.

The primary deficiency of form fitting cycling pants is that some people feel that they are distastefully revealing of the wearers body shape, having an unconventional appearance (outside of cycling culture).

Loose fitting (baggy) cycling pants are preferred by touring cyclists, casual cyclists, beginner cyclists and off-road cyclists because they may provide additional modesty when compared with form fitting cycling pants; and also because they may provide better abrasion resistance; climate protection and/or pockets, which are uncommon in form fitting bicycle pants.

Loose fitting cycling pants may comprise an inner garment which has similar construction to waistband type form fitting cycling pants attached to an outer garment which is loose fitting. Loose fitting cycling pants in all prior art are secured on the wearer with a waistband which may be adjustable and/or elastic.

The primary deficiency of loose fitting cycling pants is that they are secured to the wearer with a waistband, which may cause discomfort and/or restrict breathing.

Accordingly there is a need in the art for an improved garment.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The garment discussed herein addresses the need discussed above. The invention comprises a bib type garment which has provision(s) to support a secondary garment(s). The invention may be, by way of example and not limitation, a form fitting bib type cycling pant from which a loose fitting pant can be suspended. Because the outer garment is suspended from the inner garment, it does not rely upon a tight/restrictive waistband to secure it to the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of a prior art form fitting bib type cycling pants having short legs;

FIG. 2 is a view of a prior art form fitting waistband type cycling pants having short legs;

FIG. 3 is a view of a prior art loose fitting cycling pants, illustrated with a cut-away to show an attached form-fitting padded liner;

FIG. 4 shows the garment of the current invention, illustrated with a cut-away to show the form-fitting undergarment attached to a loose fitting pant;

FIG. 5 is a view of an alternate embodiment of the current invention having pockets and an opening through which the wearer may urinate. In this embodiment, a corresponding opening through which the wearer might urinate may be included in the outer garment;

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the current invention with a skirt as the outer garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 4., an embodiment of the current invention is shown, illustrated with a cut-away to show a form-fitting under-garment. A bib garment 1 is shown having a shoulder harness with one or more straps 3, leg openings 4, a crotch pad 5, and one or more “internal suspenders” 6 for suspending the outer garment 2, from the inner garment 1.

In FIG. 4, the outer garment 2 is shown suspended from the under garment 1 by a plurality of “internal suspenders” 6 comprising webbing straps and buttons. This arrangement is shown by way of example and not limitation. Other configurations of “internal suspender” 6 are also contemplated. By way of example and not limitation: the “internal suspender” 6 may be permanently or detachably configured with the under-garment 1 or the outer garment 2; the “internal suspender” 6 may be a unitary piece or comprise multiple parts; the “internal suspender” 6 may or may not allow some movement and/or some separation between the outer garment and the under-garment 1; the “internal suspender” 6 might comprise buttons, snaps, hook and loop material, friction between the inner and outer garments, magnetic fasteners, zippers, clasps, ties, buckles, or other means.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the under-garment 1 should be made of hydrophobic material and the outer garment 2 be made of hydrophilic material, this arrangement promoting moisture transfer away from the wearers body, which may assist the wearer in regulating his/her body temperature.

Referring now to FIG. 5., an embodiment of the current invention is shown, illustrated with a cut-away to show a form-fitting under-garment. The features of this garment are as described above for FIG. 4, additionally this embodiment shows an opening 7 through which the wearer may urinate; a pocket 8 on the under-garment, a pocket 9 on the outer garment 2. This embodiment may also include an opening in the outer garment through which the wearer may urinate.

Referring now to FIG. 6., an embodiment of the current invention is shown, illustrated with a cut-away to show a form-fitting under-garment. The features of this garment are as described above for FIG. 4, in this embodiment the outer garment 2 is a skirt.

The above descriptions are given by way of example and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments. 

What is claimed:
 1. A cyclist's garment having left and right leg openings, a shoulder harness and a means of suspending a secondary garment (or garments).
 2. A garment according to claim 1, which includes a crotch panel that is intended to protect a cyclist from abrasions/chaffing/discomfort arising at his/her interface with a bicycle seat.
 3. A garment according to claim 1, wherein a secondary garment is permanently attached.
 4. A garment according to claim 1, wherein a secondary garment is removably attachable.
 5. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the means of suspending a secondary garment is removably attachable.
 6. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the means of suspending a secondary garment is adjustable.
 7. A garment according to claim 1, which is constructed of hydrophobic material.
 8. A garment according to claim 1, which has an opening to permit the wearer to urinate without contortion.
 9. A garment according to claim 1, which has pockets
 10. A combination garment comprising: an undergarment having left and right leg openings, a shoulder harness and a means of suspending an outer garment (or garments); and an outer garment (or garments).
 11. A garment according to claim 10, wherein the undergarment includes a crotch panel that is intended to protect a cyclist from abrasions/chaffing/discomfort arising at his/her interface with a bicycle seat.
 12. A garment according to claim 10, wherein the undergarment and outer garment are permanently attached.
 13. A garment according to claim 10, wherein the undergarment and outer garment are removably attachable.
 14. A garment according to claim 10, wherein the means of suspending the outer garment is removably attachable.
 15. A garment according to claim 10, wherein the means of suspending the outer garment is adjustable.
 16. A garment according to claim 10, wherein the undergarment is constructed of hydrophobic material.
 17. A garment according to claim 10, wherein the outer garment constructed of hydrophilic material.
 18. A garment according to claim 10, which has an opening in the undergarment to permit the wearer to urinate without contortion.
 19. A garment according to claim 10, which has pockets in the undergarment. 